(tempranillo merlot and cabernet sauvignon): Ruby-red. Aromas of dried cherry raspberry vanilla mocha and Cuban tobacco with smoke and potpourri accents. Supple and expansive offering sweet spice-accented red and dark berry and floral pastille flavors that stain the palate. Dusty tannins add shape and grip to the very long smooth penetrating finish. I find this wine quite approachable now but it has the balance to age. Not the weightiest Valbuena but very impressive for the vintage.

The 2007 Valbuena is rounded and warmer than the 2006 with lush dark berry fruits interlaced with scents of espresso and bay leaf. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannins crisp acidity with a composed focused finish of black cherries raspberry cedar and mocha. The 2007 has great precision and focus. It is more feminine and assured than the 2006 but one senses that it is holding something back to charm consumers in five or six year s time. This is very impressive. Drink 2017-2030. Robert Parkers Wine Advocate.